Meryl Streep Tribute

Every year, the Film Society of Lincoln Center of which we are members, holds a gala tribute honoring someone in film. We have attended many of these over the years, with honorees such as Martin Scorcese, Clint Eastwood, and Dustin Hoffman. Last night - the Film Society's 30th gala tribute - honored Meryl Streep.

The program is a mix of film clips and tributes from colleagues in the industry, winding up with a speech by the honoree. Past galas have ranged from ho-hum (Dustin Hoffman - you got the impression that no one really likes him) to excellent (Martin Scorcese).

Last night's blew them all away. The clips demonstrated the wide range and phenomenal talent of the honoree, but it was the speeches that really told the tale of a consummate professional who is just a darned nice, funny, and all around great person.

Of course, it was a treat to be seated in the audience, listening to accolades being heaped upon Ms. Streep by Robert Redford, Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken, Jonathan Demme, Mike Nichols, Stanley Tucci, Uma Thurman, Garrison Keillor and Amy Adams. DeNiro, who at the Scorcese tribute demonstrated that the rumors regarding his incredible shyness and discomfort with public speaking are quite true, was actually the funniest presenter last night. Although he read verbatim from a stack of index cards, rarely looking up or making any eye contact with the audience, he was hysterically funny. All of the presenters were quite humorous and clearly spoke from the heart.

The final clip was a preview from the soon to be released Mamma Mia! with Streep singing "The Winner Takes It All" proving that she can add belting out a musical number to her impressive list of talents.

The program notes made mention of the fact that as opposed to other leading ladies that have come before her, Streep has remained in the spotlight solely for her professional work. She has never been involved in a scandal or started a ruckus. At the end, Ms. Streep spoke extemporaneously and quite personally for about 10 or 15 minutes, and we were left with the distinct impression that every sincere word spoken by those who paid tribute to her was deserved. She truly is one of film's treasures and apparently someone you would want as a friend.